« | Proverbs 24 | » |
1 Do not be jealous of evil men, nor desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studies ruin, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
4 and by knowledge the rooms shall be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge increases strength.
6 For by wise counsel you shall make your war; and in a multitude of wise men there is safety.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate.
8 He who plots to do evil shall be called a master of wicked thoughts.
9 The thought of foolishness is sin; and the scorner is hateful to men.
10 If you faint in the day of trial, your strength is small.
11 Deliver those being taken to death, and those stumbling to be killed, unless you hold back.
12 If you say, Behold, we did not know; does not He who searches the heart consider it? And the Keeper of your soul, does He know? And He repays to a man according to his works.
13 My son, eat honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb is sweet to your palate;
14 so shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; when you have found it, then there shall be a reward, and your hope shall not be cut off.
15 Wicked one, do not lie in ambush at the dwelling of the righteous; do not spoil his resting place;
16 for a just one falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked shall fall into evil.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 lest Jehovah see, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.
19 Do not fret yourself because of evil ones, nor be jealous of the wicked;
20 for there shall not be a hereafter to the evil; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
21 My son, fear Jehovah and the king; and do not fellowship with those who are given to change;
22 for their trouble shall rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin of them both?
23 These also are for the wise: To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, You are righteous; the people shall curse him and nations shall abhor him.
25 But to those who rebuke him, it shall be a delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26 He shall kiss the lips that return right words.
27 Prepare your work outside, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.
28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, nor deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, I will do so to him as he has done to me; I will give to the man according to his work.
30 I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man without understanding;
31 and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face of it, and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw; I set my heart on it; I looked and I received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down;
34 then your poverty comes stalking, and your want like a man armed with a shield.
The Modern King James Version (MKJV)
The Modern King James Version (MKJV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible that aims to preserve the majesty and accuracy of the original King James Version (KJV) while updating its language for modern readers. Developed by Jay P. Green Sr. and first published in 1990, the MKJV seeks to maintain the literary beauty and doctrinal reliability of the KJV, making only necessary adjustments to archaic terms and phrases to enhance readability. This careful balance allows the MKJV to retain the classic feel of the KJV while making it more accessible to today’s audience.
One of the standout features of the MKJV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or word-for-word translation. The translators have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time. This approach ensures that the MKJV remains faithful to the original texts and maintains the theological and literary integrity of the KJV. By preserving the cadence and phrasing of the original, the MKJV offers a reading experience that is both familiar and refreshed for modern readers.
The MKJV also pays special attention to the textual basis of the translation. Like the KJV, it relies on the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament. This adherence to traditional source texts underscores the MKJV’s commitment to continuity with the historic Christian tradition. The translation is designed to serve both devotional and scholarly purposes, providing a text that is suitable for study, teaching, and public reading in a variety of settings.
Despite its strengths, the Modern King James Version has faced some criticism. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation could benefit from a more extensive revision to fully embrace contemporary language, suggesting that the MKJV’s adherence to the structure and style of the KJV may still pose challenges for modern readers. Others appreciate the balance it strikes but note that it occupies a niche space, appealing primarily to those who have a strong attachment to the KJV. Nonetheless, the MKJV remains a respected and valued translation for those seeking a modern update of the KJV that honors its rich heritage and timeless message.